Visitors are greeted by cobblestone lanes, picturesque hills, grand architectural monuments dating back to medieval times, and some of the best restaurants and wine bars. If you've found yourself in Porto, we're preaching to the choir because you likely already know how wonderful this city is. But if you're looking for your next travel destination, why not drive to Madrid with Daytrip?

Madrid is a Spanish city and a foodie's dream destination. This city is well known for its delicious local cuisine and adventurous nightlife, so it's the place to be if you're looking for good food and excitement. It's also worth a visit if your interests lie in cultural and historical attractions, as this city has many.

If you travel by car with Daytrip, our door-to-door ride service will ensure you get from Porto to Madrid safely and soundly. Our drivers will even share tips about the places you plan on visiting, and you can stop and see the many beautiful attractions along the route to enrich your trip!

With more than three million year-round residents, it's a modern metropolitan city, the largest in Spain and one of the largest in Europe---and that's not counting the millions of foreign visitors a year.

It is within the center of Spain and surrounded by mountains and natural parks, though still easy for travelers to make the trip from Porto to Madrid by bus, train, flight, and private car transfer service.

Madrid is popular thanks to its numerous interesting attractions offering amusement, excitement, entertainment, and culture. When you visit, you'll likely be wowed by the many spectacular monuments like the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace.

Then there are the museums Reina Sofia, Del Prado, and Thyssen, which have some of the most beautiful artworks of famed Spanish artists Goya, Picasso, Miro, and Velazques in their collections. Artists and art enthusiasts will love spending a day in any of these museums. And, of course, it's a food lover's dream destination.

But Madrid isn't only for history and culture enthusiasts but also for sporting fans who love skiing, golf, and soccer. When you visit Madrid, depending on the time of year, you can go skiing on one of the mountains or golfing at one of the famous golf courses. Numerous international sporting events are also held in Madrid throughout the year, so you're bound to find something of interest during your visit to this European city.

Sporting aside, Madrid also has an immersive nightlife culture that is entertaining and interesting. No matter when you visit, the nightlife is alive and thriving – even during the week. Not to mention, the restaurants and wine bars are exemplary, and you'll be hard-pressed to find tastier food anywhere else in Spain. So what are you waiting for? Daytrip is ready to fill your drive from Porto to Madrid with countless happy memories.

Buy tickets to major attractions in advance

If you're planning to travel from Porto to Madrid, you probably want to see a few local attractions along the way and in the city itself. To ensure you get this opportunity, you need to do two things.

First, book your tickets to major attractions in advance. For example, if you want to explore the grand Castle of Linhares or take a gondola ride through Aveiro (Portugal's very own Venice) before you get to Madrid, having pre-booked tickets will save you time and money. Likewise, doing the same when visiting the Reina Sofia Museum or the Museo del Prado in Madrid will ensure a stress-free experience.

Secondly, take the stress out of planning your trip by booking a car transfer with Daytrip. With Daytrip, you're guaranteed to get to the attractions you want to see without getting lost or encountering unnecessary delays (you just need to book the tickets).

Be prepared for weather changes

Spain is beautiful but sees its fair share of adverse weather conditions outside of summer. So if you're planning to drive from Porto to Madrid with Daytrip outside of summer, it's best to be prepared by carrying an umbrella and a jacket.

The days might be warm, but the evenings get chilly, so you don't want your night out on the town to turn freezing cold and uncomfortable.

Remember to pack earplugs

There is no denying that Madrid is lively, and this liveliness comes at the cost of peace and quiet. So, if you don't enjoy loud music and conversation, you must pack earplugs. You'll thank us when you're trying to get to sleep! They are also useful when the crowds get too boisterous at some of the more popular attractions.

From Porto to Madrid via bus

Two coach lines, Flixbus and ALSA, offer day and overnight bus services direct from Porto to Madrid. There's only one morning and one overnight coach departure daily, plus another indirect option, so your travel time choices are pretty limited. These direct buses take a bit over 8 hours.

There are also some indirect buses. Get to Porto (TicCampanhã) station and head to the Viseu (Bus Station) to transfer to another bus that will take you to Madrid. Unfortunately, with the stop, the trip can be expected to take about 10 hours.

From Porto to Madrid via flight

Flying from Porto to Madrid is the fastest way to travel between cities, depending on the flight and airline chosen. Several airlines offer numerous flights daily, but the best options include TAP Portugal, Air Europa, and KLM.

The average flight time is about 1 hour 15 minutes, but the actual travel time is significantly longer. After you factor in the time getting to and from the airport, the 2 hours for check-in and security, plus the time waiting to get off the plane and get your luggage, you're looking at about 5 hours.

Many of the flights offered take between 16 hours and 22 hours because of flight changes and lengthy stopovers. So, although flying can be fast, it can also be incredibly time-consuming and not worth it.

From Porto to Madrid via train

Traveling by train is an incredibly popular choice for those planning to visit Madrid, but it is unfortunately not the most time-productive or convenient option. This is because to get to Madrid, you must take a train from Porto-Campanha to the Vigo Guixar bus station. You must walk about 15 to 20 minutes from here to the Norte - Frente 74 bus station.

Once at the station, you must take a bus to the Urzaiz - Muro Estación train station. After transferring from the bus to the train, you will travel to Madrid-Chamartin before taking another train ride to Estación de Sol Cercanías station in Madrid. The entire trip takes a bit over 8 hours, is challenging to navigate, and is not suited for novice travelers.

From Porto to Madrid via private car service

Typically, the best way to get from Porto to Madrid is by a private car service like Daytrip, especially if you want more freedom when it comes to travel. Unlike when you travel by train, flight, or bus, you can stop and sightsee or participate in activities in cities and towns along the way.

For example, traveling with Daytrip lets you tour the magnificent Gothic-style Cathedral of Guarda and the UNESCO-listed El Escorial Monastery. What's more, our professional English-speaking drivers will also share tips about the places you want to visit and advise on the best spots to grab a scrumptious bite to eat or do some shopping.

A car trip with Daytrip takes about 6 hours without stops, so it’s almost as fast as flying and infinitely more enjoyable. And prices start at only $130 (€122) per person! So what are you waiting for? Sit back and relax in one of our luxury cars while we get you where you need to be.

Tour the Royal Palace

There are many palaces in the world, but the Royal Palace in Madrid is one of the largest. This spectacular palace has more than 3,400 rooms, and you can tour many of them! So, plan a minimum of a half-day visit to see the remarkable treasures of the Spanish crown. Moreover, it's one of the only palaces in the world still an official Head of State residence open to the public.

Visit Retiro Park

Madrid might be landlocked, but this doesn't mean no water attractions exist. One of the best places to visit in the city if you want to breathe in some fresh air and relax is Retiro Park. This park is a huge green space in the city with a massive pond you can sit beside or paddle across. This pond was used to stage mock navy battles in the 17th century, so we promise there is more than enough space even on a busy day.

Besides the pond, you can also wander through the rose garden or visit the Glass Palace in Retiro Park. This glass and iron masterpiece is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stands as one of the finest examples of cast-iron architecture in the world. Although created as a greenhouse, it is now an off-site exhibition space for Museo Reina Sofia, so it's a treat to visit.

Visit the world's oldest restaurant

The world's certified oldest restaurant dates back to 1725 and can be found in Madrid. The Casa Botin has four floors and still serves traditional Castilian cuisine. It has been delighting tastebuds for over three centuries, and its design is a wondrous sight. This restaurant has managed to preserve its tavern-like look and feel meticulously and has served many famous people, including Ernest Hemingway, who is said to have been partial to the popular suckling pig. After that, there’s 26 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city to sample!

Take advantage of free attractions

Few people realize just how many free attractions there are in Madrid. To save money and enjoy as much as possible when visiting, you should add museums, parks, and plazas to your travel list. For example, the Museo Nacional del Prado and other state-owned museums have free entry between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. This museum is well known for its beautiful exhibitions and collections, so try not to miss out!